Chapter Includes : 

Kokichi Ouma, Shuichi Saihara, Tsumugi Shirogane, Oumsai, Angst, Stabbing, Knives, Minor Character Death

As soon as the nighttime announcement played, Kokichi went as quickly as possible, without looking suspicious, back to the dorm rooms. He yanked his door open and closed it behind him immediately, turning the lock and sighing in relief. As he went to collect objects light enough his weak arms could lift to barricade the door, the little ruler let his thoughts wander.

The day had been extremely hectic, the first murder took place, the victim being Rantaro Amami. Which was sad, Kokichi had found the boy suspicious, but he still found himself grow and attachment to the walking mystery. Then, Kaede Akamatsu was found guilty of the murder and then brutally executed. While, Kokichi had fought back his real sobs at seeing it, what really hurt was the reaction from Shuichi.

Kokichi had found himself slowly growing an attachment to the young detective. He didn't know why, he had been trying to keep himself distanced from everyone so this wouldn't be more painful then it had to be. Yet, Shuichi had some how managed to sneak his way into Kokichi's traitorous heart.

As the tears ran down Shuichi's face during the execution, Kokichi felt like he was the one up there being strangled. Honestly, everything the taller boy did affected the little rulers heart in some way. The way Shuichi would always look slightly down when praised, a small happy smile appearing on his lips. The way his golden eyes twinkled when he was doing something he enjoyed. The sheer look of determination on his face when he's doing detective work.

As Kokichi mentally listed off the hundreds of different things he found endearing about the other, he heard the doorknob turn. It didn't get very far though, quickly being stopped by the lock. The little ruler didn't dare breathe as the handle turned back and forth quickly, the person on the other side obviously desperate to get in.

"Kokichi?" Shuichi's voice spoke from the other side of the door. Sighing in relief at the familiar, trustworthy voice, Kokichi thanked whatever god might be out there that it was him. The little ruler bent over to push the objects in front of the door out of the way. He reached for the doorknob to unlock it, but found himself hesitating.

"What's taking so long?" The detective asked, sounding irritated. Kokichi shook of his worries and unlocked the door. Before he could even turn the knob, the door burst open from the other side to reveal Shuichi. Unknown to the little ruler, his previously racing heart calmed significantly at the sight.

"Well some of us have to take precautions, Shuichi. I'd be surprised if you weren't planning on doing so as well, considering Kaede and all," Kokichi said in a mocking voice, looking for any kind of reaction to the name.

The detective gave nothing but an annoyed look. Kokichi felt himself tense from the uncharacteristic reaction. Glancing down, the little ruler's heart skipped a beat upon noticing the detective's hands were behind his back, as if hiding something. Shifting to the side slightly, the small boy noticed the way Shuichi moved, as if trying to keep his back hidden from him. 

"S-Shuichi?" Kokichi heard himself stutter the taller boy's name, backing away instinctively.

Noticing the rise in tension, the detective took the door with one of his hands and closed it behind him as he stepped forward. The other hand which had been previously hidden, came out from behind his back revealing a large, sharp, kitchen knife. 

Kokichi almost couldn't believe it. This seemed like something from a nightmare, there was no way Shuichi of all people was-

When the little ruler's back hit the wall, Kokichi realized he'd been backing himself into a corner. The detective placed both of his hands on either side of the walls keeping him from escaping. Being face to face with him, the smaller boy noticed something peculiar about his eyes. One eye held a "V" in it and the other held a "3."

"You aren't Shuichi." Kokichi said, surprised at the words that came out of his mouth. The fake Shuichi was obviously surprised at the declaration too, but the expression soon turned into one of psychotic happiness.

"Well, well, well," The fake started, voice back to normal now but still kept unrecognizable. "I knew you were smart but that's a whole new level. But that's why you can't continue the game."

"Game?" The person in front of him just smiled sadistically and held his knife over Kokichi's heart.

"You'll learn soon enough." As the imposter in front of him pulled his arm back, Kokichi saw the door open in the corner of his eye. Before he could feel any relief though, extreme pain coursed through his entire body as the knife was plunged into his chest.

Gasping in pain, Kokichi's legs gave out and he collapsed onto the dorm floor. The initial pain from the stab had left, leaving the little ruler with irregular throbs of pain. His heartbeat pounded in his ears as blood pooled in his mouth. Without the strength to spit it out, Kokichi began choking on it. But it was only a mere thought, everything seeming a million miles away. Everything was just an echo, just a whisper. 

——timeskip becuz Kokichi passes out if u couldn't tell—

"...chi...re.......wake...?" The words, while spoken softly, pounded into Kokichi's head painfully causing him to groan in pain. Collective whispers came from all directions causing the little ruler to blink his eyes open in confusion.

"Could you guys leave for a bit?" A familiar voice spoke to his left. "I want to talk to him alone."

"No one actually died so I don't know why you want to interrogate the little gremlin," Maki claimed. Despite his poor condition, Kokichi did his best to prop himself up. Opening his mouth to roast the hell out of the the assassin, Shuichi cut him off with a knowing look.

"Someone was still injured, and I need to find out what happened."

Maki rolled her eyes and walked out of the room, the rest scurrying after her, not eager to be in the same room as Kokichi. The detective and ruler were too focused on each other to notice a certain blue-haired cosplayer stayed back a bit longer to glare at the living sign that her plan had failed. 

"So what does the detective want to know about what happened? Can't you figure it out yourself like a good detective," The smaller boy questioned, ignoring the way his heart sank upon knowing why Shuichi really wanted to be here.

"I can save that for later. Now the main priority is knowing if you're okay." Blinking in confusion and surprise, Kokichi stared at the detective, nearly missing the small laugh he gave at the look on the little ruler's face. 

Reaching forward hesitantly, Kokichi wrapped his hands around Shuichi's face and pulled it close to his. Staring into his eyes, he looked for any signs of the "V3". 

"None." The boy breathed, alllowing himself to relax fully for the first time since he woke up. As the worry went away, the stab wound to his chest revealed itself fully making him hiss in pain.

At this, Shuichi's previously very flustered face turned to one of worry. Grabbing both of Kokichi's hands with his, the detective looked him up and down as if he'd forgotten where the wound even was in the blur of the moment.

"You must really need some extra training if you've already forgotten the what happened to the victim," Kokichi joked, voice no longer as high and chipper as it normally was, his mask being shed in front of the frankly, extremely adorable detective in front of him.

Realizing he was holding the smaller boy's hands, Shuichi's face flushed for a second time and he made an embarrassed noise. Kokichi laughed at the other boy's predicament and the two sat in a surprised but happy quiet, upon hearing the first real laugh, either had heard in a long, long time. 

(A/N : Sorry this is short and all, I'm rlly bad at writing oneshots/drabbles, sorry >~< Anyways, so far Whumpvember seems really fun so I'm super hyped for this! I hope you enjoyed and stay around for the rest of the month)

Word Count : 1407