Ouma's POV:

It was like last time, Kokichi was standing next to me as the world was devoured by a bright light, reopening to show a phantom of him walking down the street. It felt like I was watching some kind of caricature, something that wasn't me.

The boy was exactly like Kokichi, our height, his timid and shy demeanor, along with the bruises and bandages that seemed to cover his face and arms. He looked tired and scared, keeping his eyes close to the floor and tightly gripping onto his backpack as I followed him, approaching a large school.

I paused for a second, taking in awe the real regal feeling it gave off. It was a brick building, reminding me of Hope's Peak, only this school had large windows not barred off, and the wall surrounding the school had a garden and more lively feeling than Hope's Peak.

So why am I still nervous?

"You went to school?" I asked, immediately regretting my words the second they came out. Kokichi looked at me confused, "d-didn't you go to school?" he asked, I hesitated looking down walking to catch up with the phantom.

"I already told you I didn't go when I was older, I think went when I was young before I ran away," I told him "but after that, I never went back to school," I told him. It was weird admitting to that, I could remember hearing Kazue or Eiji complain about their school from the nights when they visited but I was still in awe of the thought. Sure it seemed boring, but it seemed more fun than having to work as a gas station employee.

"Oh..." Kokichi trailed off, he fumbled with his hands uneasily, the school was filled with large groups of teenagers talking to one another, Kokichi seemed to skillfully dodge them and when he did bump into them he often got a groan or a look of disgust sending agitation down my back. He would just mumble sorry.

"Where's DICE?" I asked, gazing at the other groups, "I got accepted to a private school after middle school, they didn't...so I was here all alone...I saw them after school...but it wasn't often" Kokichi told me hesitantly, he looked lonely shooting looks of pity and despair at his phantom.

It was as he went to change his shoes that's when some things became more clear.

Inside of his locker, where his shoes were supposed to be it was covered in dark red paint. The worst part being it was still wet. Maybe that wasn't what made me feel uneasy though, but the look of content on the phantom's face, as if he already expected this as he just closed the locker door and put his regular shoes inside as well, deciding that just wearing socks was better than the alternative.

I looked at Kokichi, angry, "how often does that happen?" I asked he shrugged looking down, "I...I stopped counting a long time ago" he told me. That wasn't the answer I was hoping for.

I bit my lip trying to keep calm as I hurried to catch up with phantom Kokichi, he was heading towards his classroom, or at least that's what I thought he was walking with his usual shy and reserved nature till he caught eyes with something or someone, that's when his eyes flashed a look of terror and when he turned a sharp corner, his eyes dotting to the floor.

He was debating between running or laying low. He resembled a prey getting stalked, I looked over at Kokichi confused, his eyes had a similar look of dread and terror as he looked away as much as he could.

"What's happening? What's HAPPENING?" I asked, "why are you running, and what are you running away from?" I asked. Kokichi looked down seemingly unable to answer when I saw phantom Kokichi opening a door and silently sneaking inside.

It must have been around a minute later, a boy followed. He was tall, not Momota or Shinguji height, around Saihara's height actually, but his build seemed strong and he wore his uniform half hazard as if he couldn't be bothered. He had dark brown hair and greenish eyes, and his eyes...they had a look that seemed to be a combination of lust and malice.

I felt a cold shiver go down my spine.

I felt myself hesitating to enter, my feet refusing to move as I slowly approached the door, I glanced at Kokichi who was sitting against the wall his head in his arms as he seemed to cradle himself unable to deal with whatever was happening beyond the door.

I contemplated joining him. 

I walked inside the room.

~-~-~May 14th, One Year Before Ouma joined the killing game~-~

I walked into the abandoned classroom trying to catch my breath as I felt my heart racing inside of my chest, the familiar feeling of panic was like a fire rapidly spreading and the paranoic thoughts only fueled by this.

I'm ok...it's ok...he...

I shuddered when I heard the door open, and his footsteps following closely behind the door shutting as I turned around. "Why you hiding gorgeous?" he teased flirtatiously, I looked down uncomfortable, something he was displeased with as he forced my face to look at his as he forced a kiss onto me.

I tried to resist, fighting against and escaping from his hold and he responded by gripping on tighter, it hurt, he pulled with a satisfied grin, I felt myself tearing up. 

"Aww why you scared baby?" he asked, "are you scared of getting caught, everyone already knows you're a slut," he told me, as he played with my hair. I looked down sniffling. A quick flash passed, as he slapped my face angered by my response.

"Stop crying already" he scolded, I looked up at him, as he looked down at me satisfied, "Hey...don't look at me like that, you know I say that because I love you" he promised me, I looked down, he gripped onto my face and forced me to look directly into his eyes.

"What do you say now Kokichi?" he demanded, I shuddered, "I-I l-love you to" I quickly stuttered out, he smiled pleased as his fingers trailed down to my shirt as he fumbled with the buttons, "what do you say that after school...you and me have some fun...?" he propositioned, I looked at him and shook my head a little.

"I...I d-don't want to..." I muttered, "would you rather I break up with you? Don't you remember, you're MINE, it's either I or I'll make sure every single last person in this school knows what a weakling you are. They WILL hurt you, but...stay with me and I promise, I know I will make you feel good" he promised, his eyes looked lustfully down at me as he gazed at the marks he left behind at his last visit.

I looked down, what choice do I have...?

"Ok..." I told him quietly, he smiled as he let me go, and headed towards the door, "wait for me at the front of the school, I will hurt you if you don't come" he threatened as he left the door shutting it behind him.

My legs collapsed under me when he did and I held everything back as I fought back the urge to scream, as I tried to stifle my sobs.