Plague

(Just a heads-up, I went a little overboard with this one-shot. It's a bit longer than the others I've written so far.)

It was morning, and most of the student were in the dining hall. The table was conspicuously empty.

"What the hell!" Miu yelled. "Where's my fucking breakfast? My golden brain can't function without food!"

"Maybe we should starve you more often then," Kokichi suggested. "Your figure would certainly thank you for it, you cow."

"Aahh-" Miu whined. "Are you c-calling me fat?"

Before Kokichi could reply, Monokuma appeared. "Hey! As the headmaster at this prestigious academy, I cannot allow bullying in any form."

"I agree!" Kokichi declared loudly. "I was just giving some friendly advice. It's important for everyone here to support each other after all."

"Enough of your lies, Kokichi," Kaito said. "You wouldn't lift a finger to help any of us if you didn't get something out of it."

"I totally would!" Kokichi insisted. "Just yesterday, I went into everyone's rooms and searched for suspicious or dangerous items. Nice teddy bear by the way."

"H-how dare you go through my stuff!" Kaito yelled, trying to distract everyone from the fact that he had a teddy bear.

"It was easy," Kokichi said. "All I had to do was pick the lock."

"Why you little..." Kaito stalked menacingly towards Kokichi. 

"Hey! Heeeey! You're supposed to pay attention to me," Monokuma protested. "I've got something important to say!"

"What is it?" Kiibo questioned.

"I've come to deliver you news of your next motive!" Monokuma replied.

The dining hall went quiet.

"Well, are you just going to leave us in suspense?" Kokichi asked.

"Upupupu," Monokuma laughed. "A bit eager, aren't you? Well, far be it from me to disappoint. Everyone, take a look around, and tell me what's missing."

"My fucking breakfast!" Miu yelled.

"Yes," Monukuma begrudgingly agreed, sounding annoyed. "What else? I'll give you a hint. There are four things missing. One is blue and black, one is black and blue, one is dark green and brown, and one is grey and black."

"Nyahah!" Angie laughed. "Are we playing 'I spy'? Atua loves that game!"

Everyone else just stared blankly at him.

Monokuma sighed. "How did I get stuck with this bunch of morons?" he mumbled. "Fine, I'll just tell you. Four of your fellow students, Shuichi, Tenko, Gonta, and Kirumi, didn't make it out of their rooms this morning. The reason you guys don't have breakfast is because Kirumi wasn't able to make it."

"Huh? What do you mean they didn't make it out of their rooms?" Kokichi asked, putting a finger on his cheek. "Are they dead?"

"Nope," Monokuma said. "It would be awesome if one of you managed to kill four of classmates, but unfortunately, that's not what happened. Instead, I have released an illness within this academy. The four students that are absent caught this disease, and are too sick to leave their rooms."

"Nyeh, who cares," Himiko said lethargically. "So what if they're sick, that's not going to make us kill anyone."

"I didn't unleash just any old disease," Monokuma said. "This is the famous despair disease. It has some... interesting symptoms."

"What kind of symptoms are we talking about?" Ryoma asked.

"Upupupupuupu, it's a surprise! Have fun!" And with that Monokuam disappeared.

The next morning, the students gathered in the dining hall. Tenko, Kirumi, and Gonta weren't there, but Shuichi was.

Kokichi ran up to Shuichi. "Hey, I heard you were sick. How do you feel?" Kokichi reached up and put his hand on Shuichi's forehead to check his temperature. "Geez, you're hot."

Shuichi reached up and took Kokichi hand in his, caressing it. "I could say the same about you."

Kokichi blinked in surprise. Did he just say what I thought he said? 

Shuichi laughed quietly a placed a kiss on Kokichi's hand. "You look so shocked. I know what you meant before, I was only playing around. Your concern is touching, but I'm all right."

"Uh, no, I don't think so," Kokichi said. "You're obviously delirious or something, because bears would fly before you'd act like this on your own." Secretly though, Shuichi's comment had pleased him.

Shuichi opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a shout.

"Finally! Where have you been, and why haven't you been making my breakfast!" Miu yelled. 

Kirumi was standing in the doorway. "And why should someone like me so demean myself as to serve a vulgar commoner like you?"

"What did you call me, bitch!" Miu shrieked.

"I called you a commoner, because that is what you are," Kirumi replied. She stalked towards Miu, condescension radiating from every pore on her body. "You are a nothing, a no one who's only value comes from catering to those with wealth and power. If you want breakfast, then I suggest you make yourself useful and prepare it yourself."

"O-oh, o-okay," Miu slunk off, intimidated.

Everyone just stared in shock.

Kokichi was the first to snap out of it. He walked towards Kirumi. "Kirumi, is it okay if I touch your forehead?"

She glared at him. "And why would allow someone like you to come near me with your grubby hands?"

"Because something's wrong. I think you may be sick, and that it's affecting your behavior."

"I assure, I am completely fine, and even if I wasn't, I wouldn't except help from a bunch of plebeians such as this group." She turned on her heel and strode out of the room.

It was Kaito who summed up what everyone was thinking? "What the hell just happened?"

"Perhaps this has something to do with the despair disease Monokuma mentioned earlier," Kiibo suggested.

"Oh yeah, wasn't it supposed to have some kind of weird symptoms?" Tsumugi asked.

"Yes, it seems like this disease may be causing some sort of personality change," Korekiyo said.

"Maybe we should keep an eye on everyone who's sick," Tsumugi suggested.

"Atua thinks that is a good idea," Angie agreed. "He says that the people that are sick could be dangerous."

"Nyeh, count me out," Himiko said. "It sounds like too much work."

"Me too," Maki said. " I don't want any part in this."

They both left the room.

"Wow, talk about selfishness," Kokichi commented. "Anyone else plan on bailing?" He looked around the room. "No? Then we need to split up so we can make sure the sick people are okay. Miu is still off cowering, which leaves us with seven non-sick people to work with. Angie and Tsumugi can go check on Tenko, since she'd be more comfortable round other girls. That leaves Ryoma, Korekiyo, and Kaito to keep tabs on Kirumi. Shuichi and I will go check on Gonta. Afterwards, let's all meet back here and share what we've found out"

Kokichi quickly grabbed Shuichi's hand and turned to leave the room.

"Hey, wait a minute" Kaito protested. "You can't bring Shuichi with you, he's one of the ones that are sick."

Kokichi turned back around and rolled his eyes. "Does he look dangerous to you Kaito? If he comes with me, then I can watch him, and he'll be doing something helpful."

"Uhuh," Kaito said skeptically. "Well in that case, you won't mind if I join you."

Kokichi scowled at him. "I can take care of it just fine on my own."

"Hey, do I get a say in this?" Shuichi interrupted.

"No," they said in unison.

Kaito crossed his arms. "I don't trust you alone with my sidekick. You can either let me come along, or go alone."

"Ugh, fiiine, but stay out of the way." Kokichi dragged Shuichi out of the room, making Kaito have to scramble to keep up.

They were walking to Gonta's room when Shuichi surprised Kokichi by wrapping himself around Kokichi's arm.

"Huh? Shuichi, what are you doing?"

Shuichi smiled at him. "I like being close to you."

Kokichi blushed. "O-oh, that's, um..."

Kaito cleared his throat loudly. "Hey guys, we're supposed to make sure Gonta's alright, remember?" he said sarcastically. His tone didn't match the worried look in his eyes. He knew Shuichi was too shy to just grab someone's arm.

"Of course," Shuichi said, and kept walking. Shuichi shifted his grip from Kokichi's arm to his hand.

What the hell is the disease doing to him? And why is my heart trying to escape my chest? I never really noticed before, but his hands are bigger than mine, and they're so warm.

Finally, they reached Gonta's room. Kokichi knocked on the door. "Hey, Gonta! Can you hear me? If you're alive, open the door. If you're dead, then don't worry about it."

There was no response.

"Okay then, we're coming in!"

Kokichi pulled out his lock picks and had the door open in seconds.

Shuichi looked at him admiringly. "That was amazing. You must be very...skilled with your hands."

"T-thanks" Kokichi thought he saw a mischievous twinkle in Shuichi's eyes. He wondered if he just had a dirty mind or if Shuichi was flirting.

Kaito huffed. "C'mon, let's stop wasting time and get on with it." He pushed past them and entered the room, Shuichi and Kokichi close behind.

The room was modeled the same as all the other students' rooms. It was dark, but a large lump was visible under the covers on the bed.

Kaito strode over to the lump and pulled back the covers. Gonna peered at him with squinted red eyes. "What friends doing here?"

"Hey big guy, we came to check up on you," Kaito replied. "I'm just going to check your temperature, alright?" He put his hand on Gonta's forehead. "You're burning up."

"It no matter. Friends should not worry about person like Gonta."

Kokichi raised his eyebrows. "Gonta, what do you mean, a person like you? Should a gentleman really be talking like that?"

Gonta shook his head. "No, Gonta failure. Stupid to think he could be gentleman. Gonta couldn't protect Rantaro and Kaede. Gonta useless."

"Oh, Gonta, that wasn't your fault," Shuichi walked forward and gave Gonta a hug. "If anything, it was my fault. The entire murder practically happened in front of me. I'm a detective, I should have seen it, but I didn't, so it's my fault."

"No, Shuichi not know," Gonta shook his head. "Not Shuichi's fault."

"Then it's not yours either."

Gonta shook his head again. "No use trying to cheer Gonta up. Gonta don't deserve to be here with friends. Friends would be happier without Gonta."

Kokichi had a sinking feeling. "Gonta, what do you mean by that?" he asked, a little scared to hear the answer.

"If Gonta were gone, friends no longer have to worry about Gonta."

Kaito grabbed Gonta by his shoulders. "C'mon big guy, what are you saying? Snap out of it!"

Gonta pulled away. "Gonta no can protect everyone. No can fight exisals. Gonta useless."

"Shit, the dispair disease must be doing this," Kokichi hissed. "We need to check in with everyone else to see if Tenko and Kirumi are this bad. Kaito, you stay here. Shuichi and I will go back to the dining hall."

"What, NO!

"Kaito, someone needs to stay here to make sure Gonta doesn't do something stupid."

"Then you stay here."

"No, I want to go with Kokichi," Shuichi protested, wrapping his arms around Kokichi's shoulders. He looked defiantly at Kaito.

Kaito looked conflicted, then shook his head. "Ah, fine, just go," he said begrudgingly.

Shuichi brightened up at once. "Thanks Kaito."

"Whatever bro, just take care of yourself."

Together, Kokichi and Shuichi went back to the dining hall, only to find it empty.

"Really guys?" Kokichi said to the empty air. "Were my instructions too complicated for them?"

"Maybe they got here before us, and went to look for us when we didn't show?" Shuichi speculated.

"Ugh, but if that's true, then we can't go looking for them, or they might come back here and we'd miss them."

"Why don't we ask Miu?" Shuichi suggested.

"Huh?"

"Miu should be in the kitchen, remember. Kirumi told her to make breakfast."

"Oh, right. Good idea. Let's go find her then."

The two went into the kitchen, but there was no sign of Miu, only a large platter of muffins.

Kokichi looked at the muffins, eyes round with surprise. "Holy shit, Miu can bake?"

"Yeah, she can."

Something about Shuichi's tone made Kokichi look back at him. He looked like he was remembering something uncomfortable.

Shuichi went to the platter. He picked up a muffin and quickly dropped it with a yelp. "They're still hot," he said, waving his hand around to cool it off. "She must have left just before we got here."

Kokichi wasn't so sure. His instincts are screaming at him that something wasn't right. "I have a bad feeling about this. What are the chances that everyone just happened to not show up where we agreed to, and that the one person that was supposed to be here just happened to leave right before we arrived?"

Shuichi looked at him. "You have a point, but there's no proof that something has happened."

Kokichi chewed his lip. "I know, but I'd still feel better if we were somewhere else."

"Let's go then." Shuichi took Kokichi's hand and led him away.

Kokichi appreciated the gesture. The weight of Shuichi's and in his was reassuring. Wait, when did I get comfortable with this? Our friends are missing, maybe dead, so how can Shuichi still manage to make me feel safe?

The pair stayed on high alert, searching the academy for the other students. They went to Kirumi's and Tenko's room, and found nothing. When they went to Gonta's room, they found it trashed, a struggle obviously having taken place, but there was no sign of Kaito and Gonta. 

The sight of the room made Kokichi go cold. "Who or what could possibly take on Gonta and Kaito in a fight and win?"

Shuichi didn't have an answer. He rubbed circles on Kokichi's palm, trying to comfort him.

They searched until the setting sun dyed the world a fiery red. Finally, they decided to call it a night, standing in the courtyard.

"Kokichi, I don't think we're going to find them tonight. We should get some rest and look again tomorrow."

Kokichi didn't want to stop, but he felt his eyes drooping and knew Shuichi was right. "Okay."

"RUN!!!!" A voice called out. It was a girl's voice.

The two saw Maki running towards them, looking exhausted.

"What the hell are you guys just standing around for?! She's coming!"

Maki didn't wait for the boys to snap out of their shock. She just grabbed their hands and took off, dragging them behind her.

"Maki," Shuichi gasped for air. "Whats going on? Who's coming?"

"It's Tenko. She's gone insane. She's done something to everyone. I don't know where they are. I've been trying to shake her for hours."

Kokichi gaped at her. "Wait, Tenko's the one who-

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAA" A high pitched laugh rang out. Tenko appeared and grinned at them, looking wild and unhinged.

"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING? COME BACK, DON'T YOU WANT TE BE WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDS? AHAHAHAHAHAAA." She laughed in psychotic delight, and ran after them. Kokichi knew she would catch up soon.

Apparently, Maki knew it too. "If we all keep running, we'll get caught. On the count of three, I'll turn around and fight her. You guys need to get to the dorms. Get in a room, lock the door and barricade it. Don't come out until you know it's safe."

"Wait, Maki-" Shuichi tried to say something, but Maki cut him off.

"No arguing. The options are either we all get caught, or only I do. There's no other way."

"But-"

"Shut up and get ready!" Maki mentally prepared herself. "One... Two... Three!" She turned, launching herself at Tenko.

A fight ensued, with neither warrior seeming to have an upper hand. Maki was the Ultimate Assassin, which meant she was good at fighting, but her specialty was killing, and she wasn't willing to kill Tenko, especially while the killing game was still going on. Tenko, on the other hand, was the Ultimate Aikido Master, extremely proficient in her chosen fighting style and not holding back in the slightest.

Shuichi wanted to stay behind and help, but Kokichi wouldn't let him. "Shuichi, c'mon, we need to go. There's nothing we can do but make sure her sacrifice won't be in vain."

Reluctantly, Shuichi let Kokichi pull him away.

They were almost to the dorms when they heard a chilling scream and a malicious cackle. Maki had lost. Tenko stood over Maki, and directed her gaze at the boys, looking for all the world like a rabid wolf hunting solely for the pleasure of it all. She stalked forward.

Kokichi and Shuichi made it to Shuichi's room. Shuichi's hands shook as he pulled out his keys and tried to open the door. Kokichi looked back to see Tenko closing in on them rapidly. "Hurry," he hissed.

"I'm trying!" Shuichi snapped. Finally, he heard the lock click and yanked the door open. The two rushed inside and slammed the door behind them, locking it again.

Both of them were breathing heavily. Shuichi's shaky legs couldn't support him, and he collapsed to his knees. Kokichi leaned against the door, sliding down it.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH" A series of thumps sounded against the door, making Shuichi and Kokichi jump. It was followed by a frustrated scream. 

They both looked worriedly at the door.

"You don't think she'll be able to break the door down, do you?" Kokichi asked hysterically. "She can't do that, right? We're safe here, right? Ah shit. Fuck. I can't handle this."

"Hey," Shuichi said softly, scooting towards Kokichi. "Look at me."

Kokichi didn't seem to hear him. He was too consumed by panic.

Shuichi cupped Kokichi's cheek. "Kokichi, look at me."

Kokichi raised his head, trembling, and looked Shuichi in the eyes.

"Listen, you're not alone. I'm here. If you can't handle this by yourself, then that's okay. You can lean on me, I'll help you."

Kokichi gave a small, pathetic cry, and wrapped his arm behind Shuichi's back, burying his face in Shuichi's chest. He didn't cry, or scream. He just let himself be held, comforted. The pounding at the door continued, causing Kokichi to wrap himself tighten around Shuichi.

The two just sat on the floor holding each other and not saying a word. Eventually, though, something occurred to Shuichi.

"Hey, Monokuma," Shuichi called.

Monokuma popped into the room. "Ooh, it looks like something interesting is going on in here," he said suggestively. "Why did you call me in here? Oh, I know. You guys must be exhibitionists. It warms my heart to see my students being so proudly owning up to who they are."

Shuichi ignored what he said and asked a question. "When will the symptoms of the despair disease go away?"

"Huh? That old thing?" Monokuma said like it was no big deal. "Well, the symptoms will last as long as the person who has the disease is sick. Who knows how long it will take everyone's immune system to beat it?"

"There has to be something you could do to help them," Shuichi insisted.

"Even if there was, why would I want to do do anything about it? This is way to entertaining to change now."

Kokichi raised his head from Shuichi's chest and glared. "If things get anymore entertaining then everyone but me and Shuichi will be dead. You'd have to end the game because only two people would be left alive,and you wouldn't want that, would you? That would be boring"

"Hmm, you have a good point," Monokuma admitted. "I'll consider it, but for now, I'll leave you guys to have your fun." He popped out of existence as quickly as he had arrived.

Kokichi and Shuichi stared at where Monokuma had been. Shuichi sighed. "It's probably not safe to leave, so I guess we're stuck in here for the night. It could be worse."

Kokichi lightly punched his shoulder. "Don't jinx us." Another scream rang out, making Kokichi wince.

Shuichi cradled Kokichi's  head and started stroking his hair. "Don't worry, you're safe here.If Tenko could have broken down the door, she would have done so by now. We just have to wait out her illness." He hesitated, then continued. "We should probably get some sleep if we can, but there's only one bed. I'll sleep on the floor."

"No," Kokichi said seriously. "You're still sick too. You take the bed, and I'll take the floor."

Shuichi shook his head. "No, I can't sleep on the bed knowing you're on the floor. It wouldn't be right."

"You can't make me sleep on the bed, Shuichi."

"No, but you can't make me sleep on it either."

Kokichi smiled slightly. "Alright then, we'll compromise and share the bed."

"We can't do that, it wouldn't be... proper."

"Shuichi, are you seriously concerned with that after everything that has happened today?"

Shuichi looked embarrassed. "Okay, maybe saying that was a little silly."

"At least you admit it." Kokichi started taking off his shirt.

"Wait, what are you doing?!" Shuichi asked, sounding a little panicked. "I thought we weren't going to do anything like that."

"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm not going to be comfortable sleeping in all these clothes."  He tossed the shirt onto the floor. "If it'll make you feel better, I won't take off my pants."

"I'd prefer that, thank you."

Kokichi went to the bed and snuggled under the covers. "Are you coming?"

"Yeah." Shuichi removed his shirt and jacket and joined Kokichi.

They were just starting to drift off when the shrieking started up again. Every few minutes there'd be another, making Shuichi wonder why would Tenko keep screaming like that. The first time it had happened, Kokichi jumped and curled his arms tightly around Shuichi again, except now, neither had a shirt on. However, Kokichi was too scared, and Shuichi too concerned, to be embarrassed.

But although he wasn't embarrassed about their predicament, Shuichi wasn't feeling nothing either. He tried to suppress a smile and failed.

"What are you so happy about?" Kokichi asked, a little grumpy.

"I didn't think I'd get you in bed with me so soon."

Kokichi considered getting angry, but just laughed instead. So much for being proper. "You know what, I think I needed a good laugh after everything that's happened, so you get off the hook this time."

Shuichi grinned. "I'm glad." He didn't move away though, and neither did Kokichi.

Eventually, the screams died away, and the boys drifted off to sleep.

...

Ding Dong Bing Bong "Rise and Shine, Ursine!"

The morning announcement rung out, causing Kokichi to stir. Shuichi was still sleeping next to him.

Kokichi checked Shuichi's temperature, and found that it was back to normal. That was fast. I guess Monokuma came through. Wait a minute, does that mean he was in here while we were sleeping? After thinking about itKokichi decided to let it go and just enjoy the moment. He cuddled into Shuichi, waking him.

Shuichi opened his eyes, and found Kokichi's face inches from his.

"Aahhh!" He yelped, startled, and fell off the bed. "K-kokichi?!"

Kokichi looked down over the edge of the bed at him. "What's wrong?"

"W-why are you in my room?"

Kokichi raised an eyebrow. "Don't you remember yesterday?"

Shuichi furrowed his brow in thought. "I don't remember much. Oh, wait, some of us were sick right? It made us act weird, and I was..." Shuichi trailed off, mortified. He put his hands over his face to hide his blush. "Oh no. That's not why you're in here, right? We didn't...."

"If you mean, did we fuck, then no. We literally slept together. Keep going."

"Um, we split up and went to make sure the other sick people were okay. Then people disappeared, and we looked for them. And then, Maki was there, and Tenko? And then, Tenko... she was sick and it made her violent. We ran, and ended up here. Is that right?"

Kokichi nodded. "Yeah, that's the gist of it. Do you remember any details?"

"No, just bits and pieces  of what happened."

Kokichi looked at Shuichi teasingly. "So you don't remember what you said or did to me?"

"I only remember some of what I said... Wait, what do you mean, 'what I did to you'? What did I do?"

"Nu-uh, I'm not telling." Kokichi slipped off the bed and slipped on his shirt. "C'mon, if you're better, then maybe the others are too."

Shuichi scrambled to dress and follow him. "Hey, wait! Kokichi, come back here!"

The two ended up in the dining hall, still empty. Kokichi looked anxious again. He looked at Shuichi. "I don't understand. You're okay, so the motive must be over. So where is everyone else?"

"Hey, degenerate males!" A voice called from behind them. 

Kokichi and Shuichi stiffened and slowly turned around. Tenko was standing in the door way. "Hey, Tenko... are you... alright now?" Kokichi asked cautiously.

Tenko looked at him condescendingly. "What are you talking about? I'm completely fine. Saying nonsense like that is typical degenerate male behavior."

Kokichi huffed in annoyance. "Yep, you're definitely back to normal. So, what did you want?"

"I want you to tell me where everyone is?! I can't find anyone. It must be the work of a degenerate male, and now I've found you here. It's extremely suspiscous."

"Tenko, we don't know where everyone is. You did something to them last night," Shuichi explained.

"Liar! I would never do anything to harm the other girls. The males, maybe, but I didn't do anything to them either."

"Tenko, some of us were sick yesterday, very sick. I barely remember what happened, and it seems you remember even less than I do."

"No, I would never-"

"Tenko," Shuichi tried to sound reasonable. "We weren't in our right minds yesterday. I know you wouldn't have hurt them, but that person yesterday wasn't really you, it was the disease. If I remember correctly, you were chasing us, and you hurt Maki."

Monokuma popped up between them. "Upupupu, he's telling the truth. It was beautiful, all that  unrestrained, visceral beauty. It really reminded me of my days in the wild. I was so disappointed that everyone lived."

Kokichi latched onto that last piece of information.. "Everyone's alive?"

Monokuma sighed. "Unfortunately yes. After I went through all the trouble of setting lose the despair disease, Tenko didn't kill anyone, Gonta didn't kill himself, and no one murdered Kirumi."

Shuichi's eyes widened. "You purposefully infected certain people with specific versions of the despair disease to set them up to kill someone or be killed themselves?"

"Yep, that's right on the money."

"Wait, what was the purpose of Shuichi's disease then?" Kokichi asked. "I don't see how him being flirty would have anything to do with a murder."

"That was just for the fangirls, oh, and the fanboys. Here in Danganronpa, we're all about gender equality."

Everyone stared at him. "What? What do mean?" Shuichi asked. "Are there people watching-"

"ANYWAY!" Monokuma yelled, changing the subject. "What's really important are your friends, right? Don't you want to know where they are?"

"Spill it, you degenerate bear!" Tenko yelled. "Tell me where Himiko is!"

"Upupupu, well, while you were having your... episode yesterday, you dragged all your victims underground near the escape tunnel. They're all awake, by the way. You might want to get there sooner than later and untie them all."

"Don't worry Himiko, I'm coming!" Tenko yelled, already running.

"Wait, Tenko!" Shuichi called after her, but Tenko was already gone. He turned to Kokichi. "We should probably follow her. After yesterday, everyone will freak out when they see her."

Kokichi nodded. "Probably. Let's go." He walked away, Shuichi close behind.

After everyone was untied and back above ground, most of them were understanding, though still a little wary. Miu was very angry and cursing like a sailor, but everyone ignored her. 

Kokichi tugged on Shuichi's sleeve. "Hey, can I talk to you in private for a second?"

Shuichi looked surprised, but agreed. The pair went to Kokichi's room.

"Wow, your room really messy," Shuichi commented.

"Yeah," Kokichi said.

Shuichi waited, but Kokichi didn't say anything else. "What did you want to talk about?" he prompted.

Kokichi let out a breath. "I don't agree with what you told Tenko earlier."

"What I told Tenko?" Shuichi repeated, confused.

Kokichi nodded. "You told her that what she did was caused by the disease, that the person she became wasn't a part of her, but I'm sure that it was. Think about it. Tenko is a naturally energetic and aggressive person.  The disease may have amplified that, but it was still a part of her. It's the same for Gonta and Kirumi. Gonta was disappointed in himself for not being able to protect anyone, and it's not hard to imagine that somewhere deep down Kirumi resents everyone's demands on her, even if she won't admit it."

"Maybe you're right, but why did you want to tell me all this privately?"

Kokichi took a deep breath and looked away. "Yesterday, you were by my side the whole time, helping me, and I... I think... I think I may... like you."

Silence.

"K-kokichi, I... I like you too, but that person yesterday wasn't me. Maybe he was a part of me, but only a small part. I'm not brave or confident, I don't act like that normally."

"I know," Kokichi said. "And I'm not asking for any commitments or anything, I just... I got to know you a little bit yesterday, and I... would like to try. I want to get to know the real you, all of you."

Shuichi blushed. "I'd l-like that too."

Kokichi grinned. "Yay!" She hugged Shuichi.

"Kokichi!" Shuichi yelped, torn between being embarrassed and hugging Kokichi back.

Kokichi pulled back before Shuichi could decide. "C'mon, we should get back to the others." He grabbed Shuichi hand to drag him along, and Shuichi didn't pull away.

Shuichi: Flirtatious Disease

Kirumi: Arrogance Disease

Gonta: Literal Despair Disease

Tenko: Madness Disease

Author's Note: There was a picture that inspired this oneshot, but I can't find it again. It was a picture of Shuichi with the despair disease. If the person that drew that ever sees this, then shout out to you.

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