This is technically late? Lay off please, I didn't realise it was the first today. Sorry xx

I usually go for order of things that have been requested, but tbf I've literally had requests from almost a year ago that I haven't done and it's gotten to the point that I can't physically remember who asked for what and when they asked for it. Plus, this is 100% owed to the person who requested, as they did a beautiful drawing of Kirumi for me, and you should definitely go check it out.

So this is written for princess-of-echoes who requested a sick Gonta who doesn't want to worry his friends. They also didn't want anything shippy, and as usual, you wish is my command! Hope you enjoy, your drawing was amazing ♡

Gonta slumped his head on the table, his head pounding, as if a lion was trapped in there, trying to escape its cage. He groaned, closing his eyes in an attempt to ease the pain. It didn't work, reducing Gonta to near tears, but he couldn't allow himself to be so weak. His friends relied on his strength, especially as he lacked any other quality like intelligence or logic, and even a moment of weakness for Gonta was damaging enough for the male.

Usually, the cafeteria would be full of people; Kirumi would always be found making cups of tea or cooking meals for the other students, Korekiyo would be found sat at the table, having a small conversation with the busy maid as he read over some of his anthropology books, and other students would constantly burst into the room for a few seconds for reasons such as getting drinks or trying to find the two other students. However, today the cafeteria was eerily lonely, and the usual buzz of people was replaced with silence. It was nice for Gonta, the tranquillity of the scene doing wonders for easing the never-ending pounding, and it was nice to have a few minutes to himself. He loved his friends, but being trapped in a place like they were in really made you value your alone time, especially if you grew up mainly on your own like Gonta had.

He heard the door slowly creak open, and quickly removed his head from the table. Straightening his posture, he blinked rapidly in hopes of selling the image of himself being fine. He mentally sighed in joy when he saw it was only Kirumi.

"Good morning, Gokuharu." Kirumi politely smiled, dusting off her dress. Gonta smiled back.

"G-Gonta wishes you a good morning too!" He stuttered, stifling a cough at the end of his sentence. Kirumi furrowed her brows, taking a seat beside Gonta.

"Pardon me for intruding, and you may stop me if I'm stepping out of place, but are you feeling alright Gonta?" She asked, concern laced in her tone. Gonta sighed.

"Gonta is fine." He insisted rudely. Kirumi almost stumbled backwards, but managed to compose herself as she stood back up. She nodded, but Gonta could tell that she didn't quite believe him.

"If you're sure." She replied politely, before making her way to the kitchen to make various drinks for their other classmates who were bound to pop in soon.

Next to arrive was Kokichi, who entered with a bounce in his step and a loud laugh to accompany it. Gonta winced at the volume of the small boy, confused on how someone so small could make noises so loud that it could shatter glass. Kaito and Shuichi followed behind him. Maki stood behind Kaito, glaring at the purple-haired rat.

Maki's words, not Gonta's.

Shuichi immediately looked at Gonta, the same concern evident on his face as it had been with Kirumi's voice. He quietly, and politely, asked for Kokichi to not be so loud, before sitting in the same seat Kirumi had before.

"Gonta?" He asked quietly, pulling his cap in front of his eyes anxiously. Gonta looked at the nervous boy, tilting his head.

"You don't look so good. Are you sick, or something?" Shuichi asked. Gonta stood up angrily. Why wouldn't his friends just go about their business as usual?

"Gonta is fine!" Gonta shouted. Shuichi flinched backwards, and the other three all looked up at the scene. Kirumi slowly left the kitchen, entering in case she was needed to calm the situation.

"Shuichi was only checking, Gonta-" Kaito said before Gonta shouted again.

"Gonta is fine! Why nobody listen to Gonta!" He shouted, tears collecting in his eyes. "Gonta wishes people listen-"

Gonta was cut off by his own coughing fit, causing Kirumi to immediately sit him back down. Kokichi quickly fetched him a glass of water, handing it to Shuichi when he was done. Shuichi placed it on the table near Gonta before patting his shoulder gently.

"Easy, Gokuharu..." Kirumi murmured as she rubbed his back. She placed the back off her other hand on his forehead, murmuring to herself about how warm he was.

"Do you want me to get a bucket?" Maki offered. Gonta was almost taken-aback from the unusual kindness of the assassin. Her harsh tone had softened dramatically, and her tense and closed-off posture had loosened in her concern and worry for the entomologist.

"That would be helpful Harukawa, thank you." Kirumi smiled, giving the girl a quick smile before turning her attention back to Gonta.

Maki quickly left, leaving Gonta with Kirumi and the other three boys. Gonta slumped sadly in his seat, sighing to himself as tears collected in his eyes. Kaito sat next to him, gently patting his shoulder.

"Y' gotta tell us if you get like this Gonta." He sighed sadly. "We can't get outta here if we ain't all in top shape, can we?"

Gonta smiled at Kaito's light-hearted joke. Kokichi smirked.

"Looks like you'll never get out of here then will you Momota-chan?" Kokichi teased. "Gonta has the best chance out of all of us, haven't you Gontaaa~!"

"Watch your mouth you little rat." Kaito hissed before rolling his eyes. Shuichi sighed at the two boys' antics, Kirumi chuckling lightly.

"Do you feel as if you're going to be sick, Gokuharu?" She asked, setting the males back on track. Gonta slowly shook his head as Maki re-entered the room, placing the bucket gently beside Gonta.

"Just in case." She mumbled. Gonta smiled at her, mustering up a lot of energy to talk to her.

"Gonta is... incredibly grateful. Thank you, Harukawa."

Maki smile, placing her hand delicately on Gonta's arm before seating herself down.

"Why didn't you say anything, Gonta?" Shuichi asked. Gonta looked at the floor, ashamed.

"Gonta so useless... Gonta thought if people saw Gonta weak they wouldn't have any reason to like Gonta." He explained sadly. Kaito almost swore in anger, but managed to compose himself at the last minute.

"Y' know it ain't true, Gonta! We don't just like you 'cause you're strong. You're a great person to be around, and I ain't wanting to hear any more of this useless stuff again! Y' hear me?!"

Gonta nodded.

"Momota is right." Kirumi added. "You're an incredibly generous and selfless person, Gonta. We would've been more than happy to help you."

Gonta could've cried with happiness, but he settled with just leaning into Kirumi, who happily wrapped an arm around his shoulder. He rested his head on her shoulder, coughing a few times before closing his eyes.

"Gonta is so grateful for having good friends." He whispered hoarsely, his throat raw from coughing.

Kokichi sat down by Gonta's legs, resting his head on Gonta before speaking quietly.

"And we're grateful to have you, Gokuharu."