Hello, this was inspired by Panta byAGeekyBear. I enjoyed the story a lot, though a lot of readers wantedan alternative ending and two ideas for an ending popped up. I willstart with the Normal Ending before going to the Hopeful Ending. I'mnot going to promise it's going to be exactly what the readers want,but it'll be something a little different. Please credit AGeekyBearfor the story and me for the two alternative endings ONLY. If youwant to see the original ending, read Panta. The link will be on theReference Section at the end of this story.

Anyways, this will be starting atChapter Nineteen – Idiot. I am going by the two times that Shuichicould've saved Kokichi. This is one of them. I will go more intodetail on why at the end of this chapter. Enjoy!

SHUICHI'SPOV

Havingdragged Tsumugi to the outside of the warehouse to guard it, I gotout my phone to call the police, because what are cell phones for? Imean I would be wasting my time going to the next building and askingthe guy at the counter to call the police for me when I have my cellphone literally with me that Tsumugi called me from.

Icouldn't believe Ouma would betray me like this! He killed my friendand tried to kill Tsumugi. I loved him! I was so angry and betrayed.I couldn't help, but look back at the broken window- wait, thebroken window. Why wasthe window broken? Also, how could Ouma be able to kill the UltimateAssassin with a broken leg and wasn't his shoulder injured as well?Something doesn't add up here.

God,I'm such an idiot! What kind of a detective makes automaticdeductions before the investigation! The killer could've just as beenTsumugi as it was him. But wait, if it wasn't Ouma, then... oh god!OH GOD!

"Hello,this is the police!" Iheard someone pick up.

"Comeright away!" I shouted. I said the address before hanging up thephone and quickly ran back toward the building. I hope I'm not toolate.

"Shuichi,where are you going?" Tsumugi asked.

"Uh...making sure Ouma doesn't escape," I made a quick lie, though alousy one, but I didn't care. I need to find Ouma!

"OUMA!OUMA, WAIT THERE!" I called out in a desperate tone, hoping I canfind him before he does something crazy.

I ranthrough the broken window, then into the living room. At that moment,I saw Ouma on top of the ladder, tying the rope. Wasting no time, Iclimbed onto the latter. Ouma saw what I was doing and began puttinghis head through the noose, about to step off the ladder before Igrabbed a hold of his foot.

"DON'TYOU DARE THINK ABOUT IT, OUMA KOKICHI!" I shouted at the top of mylungs.

"LEAVEME ALONE, SAIHARA!" Ouma shouted, using the foot I grabbed to kickme in the head. I almost lost my grip, and quickly got a hold of theladder. He was about to step off, but I grabbed his foot again, thistime pulling myself up the ladder, while still having a good grip onhis leg. Ouma was mad. "STOP IT! LET ME DIE! LET ME BE WITH MYFRIENDS! YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T CARE ABOUT ME!"

Ididn't say anything, those words stung. I had accused Ouma for murderwithout any evidence or proof it was him. It was all my fault Ouma islike this. He depended on me to save him from his traumatic life andI abandoned him. I had betrayed his trust and now has no reason tolive. I don't care what it takes. I have to save him. I owe that muchto him.

Icontinued climbing up, grabbing a hold of his other leg. I forgotabout his broken leg. Ouma screamed painfully, giving me enough timeto climb up higher, grab a hold of him by the waist, then untie therope around his neck. Ouma started fighting me, and I held onto himin response.

"LETME GO! LET ME GO, SAIHARA! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS!?! DO YOU REALLYHATE ME THAT MUCH TO SEE ME SUFFER!?! PLEASE!" Ouma cried as Ipulled him down from the ladder before pinning him to the floor,leaving his broken leg untouched. He kept fighting me.

"I'MSORRY, OUMA! I WASN'T THINKING STRAIGHT! I LET MY EMOTIONS JUDGEBEYOND MY COMMON SENSE! JUST STOP THIS!" I shouted, hoping Oumawould listen to me.

"YOU'REA LIAR, SAIHARA! YOU TOLD ME YOU WISH YOU NEVER TALKED TO ME, THATI'M A MONSTER! YOU BELIEVED THE WORDS OF SOME BITCH YOU BARELY KNOWOVER ME! WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU CARE ABOUT ME!?! GO AWAY!" Oumascreamed, still fighting me as I held him down.

Hewas right. I said those things. I had wished I never talked to him,called him a monster, even said he was cruel. I believed the words ofTsumugi, whom I barely even know. I'm not just an idiot, I'm not evena friend. Any one of my friends would've seen through thecoseplayer's lies. I didn't and I'm supposed to be the UltimateDetective. Still, I have to save Ouma. I have to make it up to himfor my cruel mistake. Just saying sorry could never be enough. I hurtOuma in ways I can never take back.

I'llhave to act fast. I searched around and hatched an idea. I kicked theladder down. That would slow Ouma down from trying to climb back up.In doing so, Kokichi was able to kick me off before running to theladder. I had only five seconds before he could adjust the ladderback up. Five seconds was all I needed. I ran to the window and tookthe chance.

OUMA'SPOV

Afterkicking Saihara off, I adjusted the ladder. Why doesn't he want me toend my life? Does he want me to suffer just like Tsumugi? It didn'tmatter. My suffering ends here and now. Holdon guys, I'll be joining you guys soon, wherever you are.

Assoon as I stepped onto the ladder, I heard Saihara make some sort ofcringing sound, along with another sound that made me sick to mystomach. It was a weird one I was all too familiar with. No!Please, don't tell me-

Iturned my head and it was like my worst nightmare come true. Saiharawas on the ground, bowing toward me with his head on the ground. Apool of blood slowly began flowing from under him. All of my resolvescame crashing down like a ton of bricks and all I saw was Saiharalying on a pool of his own blood. My tears came flooding out as I ranto the boy I fell for.

"SAIHARA,YOU IDIOT!!" I screamed, holding him up as he began coughing bloodonto my shoulder, but I didn't care. I saw a shard of glass from thebroken window above his abdomen, his hands cut from the glass shardhe used. It was so far deep that it would be impossible for me toremove it with my bare hands. Thiswas intentional! "WHY!?!WHY DID YOU DO THAT!?!"

"I...had to save you..." Saihara replied, his voice hoarse beforecoughing more blood, this time on my chest.

Icouldn't stop the tears. Karma really does hate me. This is all myfault, yet again. Now, I may lose the one I love, because of myselfish desires. Why didn't I believe him!? Why couldn't I just haveforgiven him!? Anyone could've gotten angry with me! I could havefaced my problems! I could have let those poe-poe's arrest me, hire alawyer and prove my innocence! I could have given Saihara time tocool down, then he would've believed me! I could have-

"I'mso sorry, Saihara! This is all my fault! Please don't die! I loveyou!" I sobbed,holding him in my arms.

"K-Kokich...i....I love... you too," Saihara choked as I separated and looked intohis eyes. He smiled an angel's smile. "I'm sorry... it... tookme... this long to... tell... you." He looked like he was about topass out from blood loss.

"Don't!Don't you dare pass out on me, Saihara Shuichi!"

"It's...fine... the cops are..." Shuichi muttered, coughing more bloodbefore I heard sirens.

"Please,stay awake!" I pleaded, my eyes covered with tears.

"FREEZE!DON'T MOVE!" I heard one of the cops tell me. I did what they toldme as one of me pulled me from Saihara.

"Ouma...is innocent... I did this... to myself," Shuichi said beforepassing out from blood loss. More tears burst out of my eyes.

"PLEASESAVE HIM! I BEG YOU!" I pleaded. I knew this was the lawenforcement, but certainly they would get him to a hospital.

"TheER is on its way. Though, you are under arrest, since you are accusedof murder," the policeman told me and I complied. I looked over atSaihara. "Shuichi, if you make it through this, I... I promise I'llnever doubt you again. I will always watch you. You're my new reasonto live now."

Naturally,the police arrested me, since I was accused of murder. I didn't care.I let them put me behind bars, answer any questions they gave me. Iwould never be satisfied. I was like a walking vegetable. Everythingwas just a blur. All that mattered to me now was Shuichi, my BelovedShuichi. As long as he was still out there, he will be my only reasonfor living. That was all that mattered.

Idon't know how long I stood behind bars, but eventually I saw twocops and someone I recognized from 78thClass. She had a navy jacket, a short skirt that matched it, blackgloves and long white hair. She seemed to show no expression on herface as I heard the prison gates unlock. I looked up as thewhite-haired girl walked up to me.

"OumaKokichi, you're free to go," the girl said.

"R-Really?Aren't I still a suspect?" I asked with my trademark grin to coverthe dark sorrow within my heart.

"Notanymore. It wasn't that hard to prove your innocence," the girlreplied, tucking a lock behind her hair. "I suppose I shouldintroduce myself. My name is Kirigiri Kyoko the Ultimate Detective."

"Whoa,another Ultimate Detective? I must be lucky," I teased.

"Normally,I would've allowed my rival to solve this case, considering how...personalit is, but... he's been in a coma for the past two days, so I washired to do the investigation."

Ohno, Saihara is... in a coma? I couldn't smile anymore. Everythingjust froze, even time itself. It took all of my strength not to bawlmy eyes out like I did when I was arrested. Thisis all my fault. It's all my-

"Iknow this must be hard for you, but I can assure you non of this wasyour fault," Kirigiri said. Whatwould she know? "Youwill be escorted to the hospital where Saihara-Kun is. I'm positivehe will be alright." I didn't say anything, just nodded.

I gotup and just followed Kirigiri through the police station. She took meto her car. I just stayed silent, staring out the window. Everythingwas just passing by like a blur. The only thing that mattered to menow was Saihara. It's my fault he was like this, so I have to stay byhis side until the end. I owe it to him that much.

Oncethe car stopped, Kirigiri turned to look at me. I didn't botherlooking back at her.

"I...understand how painful this is," Kirigiri said.

"No,you don't," I replied bitterly.

Kirigiristayed silent, then continued, "my father left me when I was only alittle girl. I was raised by my grandfather to become the detective Iam now, but... he never really showed me love like father did. I didhave someone, though. She was my partner during the early days I wasa detective. I trusted her wholeheartedly. One day... I made a wrongdeduction and it resulted in the culprit trapping my friend andburning her alive. I tried to save her, but... I only hurt myself inthe process. It was because I showed my deepest, darkest weakness....love. When you show love to someone... your enemy will always usethat against you, make you suffer." At this point, I turned my headand listened. The emotionless girl seemed to show a bit of truthfulemotion behind her eyes. "I was afraid of loving anyone again, tomy family, my friends.... everyone... that is, until I met him.Mokoto Naegi. He was always sweet and kind to everyone in Class 78. Iliked that about him." I saw a small smile on her lips. "He wasthe first person I showed my burnt hands to. Even so, I... I wasalways afraid. I couldn't lose him like I did with my last partner.So, I started avoiding him. He tried reaching out to me, but I pushedhim away. I let him hang out with his other friends, even date othergirls. Sure, I got jealous, but I hid it quite well and I was morescared of losing him than anything.

"Havingno friends started getting to me. I felt alone. I always solved casesalone, so it was okay. But, it just kept piling up one after another.It was slowly breaking me, but I didn't know it. My detective skillswere starting to slip and I often worked all hours of the night. Iskipped classes, avoided all contact, even my family. Each time, Ifelt like a failure, that I was just a disappointment."

Therewas a moment of pause before I asked, "so...what did you do?"

"Idid what you did at the warehouse, I planned my own suicide. It wassupposed to be after school, so no one would stop me. Everyone wouldthink I was alright. This was the year Shuichi came to school. Heoften wore a hat to cover his face. His hat was like my gloves I useto cover my hands. The day I planned my own execution, it was the dayfor the first time I saw him without a hat. For the first time, I sawhim looking up at me and saying, 'good morning, Kirigiri-San.' Icouldn't understand any of it and for some reason, it made me angry.How was he any differentfrom me? I was jealousto say the least. But... it was also the day I broke down. I couldn'thold up my mask any longer and ran out of the school as fast as Icould. I was about to leave the school when I felt a hand stop me, itwas Mokoto's. I broke down in front of him and cried. All of myagony, my loneliness, my fears, my weakness, all of it came pouringout. I realized that day I didn't want to be alone. I felt sopathetic, so weak. But then, I forgot about wanting to kill myself."She smiled a bit. "I suppose Mokoto became my reason to live."

Itwas just like how Shuichi became my reason to live the day he stabbedthat glass shard in his abdomen. I love him. I couldn't leave him.Even if he didn't love me, I couldn't bare seeing him in pain. Icould see Kyoko felt the same way about this Mokoto guy.

"IfI didn't try to hang myself, Shuichi wouldn't be comatose right now,"I finally said.

"I'msure he did that, because losing you would've brought him pain. Itdoesn't mean it's yourfault. Remember, Saihara was the one that stabbed himself. You nevertold him to do it, did you?" Kirigiri asked me. Ofcourse not! Not like I would admit it, though.She took off her gloves, showing her hands, which wowI've seen less horrifying burnt marks on HBO,then held my hand between them. "Focus on what you can do now, notwhat you could'veor should've.Saying that will only leave more burdens on you. Right now, there issomething you can do and it's in that building over there."

Ilooked toward the ER, then nodded. I looked to Kirigiri, then nodded,"thanks... Kirigiri-San."

"Here,"Kirigiri said, removing her hands, placing on her gloves, thenreaching for a panta in her purse before giving it to me. "I'veheard you like these."

"Uh...thanks," I said, taking the Panta into my hands before exiting outof the car. I'll have togive her something in return someday.

Iwalked inside the ER to Shuichi's floor. I held my Panta in my hands,drinking it. Once I reached Shuichi's room, I walked inside, watchinghim lay on the hospital bed with wires hooked up to him. I sat on thechair next to him, then held his hand into mine. Tears beganoverflowing, my fingers trembling, but held his hand firmly.

"P-Please...Atua, if you do exist... if you're out there... please don't let myBeloved Saihara slip away from me. I love him. Please. I can't bareto lose someone I love again. P-Please~" Tears were slowly fallingonto his hand. I looked at him, his face so fragile, so... beautiful.I cradled his face with my hand, his cheek felt so warm and soft."Shuichi, I'm so sorry for everything. I promise... as soon as youwake up... I'll tell you everything. No more lies. From now on, I'llpour out my heart to you. You've stolen my heart, Saihara-Chan. So,stay with me, because this heart can't be taken back." I softlykissed his knuckles, smiling contently. I knew there was no way Icould leave him now. He had me. That moment he stabbed himself, hehad me.

SHUICHI'S POV

Ugh.God, that was painful.

Abright light was shone in my face. Wasn't I at the warehouse and I'mcertain the ceiling covered the sunlight. Wait, that's not thesunlight. Where am I? How did I get here?

Openingmy eyes, I found myself in a hospital room. I must've passed out atthe warehouse before I was taken in. I looked to my right and sawflowers and balloons by my friends. I also saw a letter on my tableside with the name 'Kirigiri.'Kirigiri? Wait,Kirigiri-San? What is she? Is she taking over the case for me, whileI'm out? How long was I out? What day is it?

Ididn't have time to answer those questions as I felt something warmin my left hand. I looked to my left and saw Ouma there resting,holding my hand in his. His eyes seemed sore red, perhaps fromcrying? I didn't mean to hurt him, but... I saw no other way. Itstill pained me to know I hurt Ouma like this. All I've done was hurt him and it doesn't seem to get any better. I tried moving myhand, which stirred up Ouma.

"Hm..."Ouma moaned, his eyes opening to see how bloodstruck his eyes were.He stared at me as if time stopped for that brief moment.

Islowly reached my left hand to his face, cupping it as I felt thewarmth of his soft, beautiful face. He hardly flinched as I hoarselysaid, "I'm... sorry. Ilove you."

"Sh-Shuichi,"Ouma choked, tears threatening to come out before he hugged me tight,his face nuzzling my chest. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. Iknew my friends were murdered and I didn't want to tell you. I knewMaki was involved and I kept that from you too. I'm sorry for nottrusting you, after everything you've done for me. I-I-I promise I'llnever doubt you again. You're my everything!"

"O-Ouma,"I muttered, obviously in shock by his words. Then, I remembered thelast part he said and blushed bright red. "AmI... your everything?"

Oumafroze, obviously never having intended on telling me that. But, hemelted back into my arms, then nodded. He wasn't taking that back andI was glad. I held him close to me, then kissed his head. We stayedlike this for a long while, soaking it in, before I popped in somequestions.

"Wh-Whereis everyone? What happened to Tsumugi? How long was I out?" Iasked.

"Neheeheeone at a time, my Beloved Saihara," Ouma grinned. Calling mebelovedmade my face turn a darker shade of red. "First, everyone's atschool. I was off for today, because I just got out of jail a fewhours ago. From what I understand, they're still searching forTsumugi. Bitch must've escaped when you were trying to stop me. I'mguessing Kirigiri-San is still searching for her. She took the case,while you were out and proved my innocence. As for how long you weregone, it was about two days. I just got here about an hour or soago."

"Oh...I see."

Westared into each other's eyes. Knowing Tsumugi was still out there, Igrew worried for Kokichi's safety. Having known what could'vehappened, I couldn't bare losing Ouma. He meant the world to me. Hewas just as much of my everything as I was to him. I was foolish toever accuse him of murdering Maki. I know Kaito must be confused andconflicted right now. He probably bought into Tsumugi's lies like Idid. After all, Ouma was arrested and never mentioned about anyonepaying him a visit.

"I-It'sall my-"

"No,don't you dare pull that, Shuichi!" Ouma stated. I had never seenthose violet eyes as serious as I did now.

"But-"

"Butnothing! If you don't believe it was my fault, then don't you dareblame yourself!"

Isighed. I gave up. "Fine." He smiled at me that cute smile."Then... come move in with me. I've made my decision. I realize nowI can't live without you. I'm also scared of what Tsumugi will do,so... I want to keep an eye on you."

"...you got me. I want to keep an eye on you too, so... I suppose we bothwill have to look after each other. After all, a murderer is still onthe loose."

"And,Kokichi... I want to know..."

"Yeah,yeah, I'll tell you everything. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut, you have topromise to keep everything I saw away from your friends' ears,especially Momoto. If you can't lie, I can teach ya."

"Hehefine, it's a deal," I agreed as Kokichi leaned toward me and kissedme softly. I instantly melted into his soft kiss.

Thereare still wounds not yet healed, but together, I'm sure we can moveforward and surely heal. I made a promise to look after Kokichi and Idon't intend on breaking that promise.

NORMALENDING

So, the idea for this one were theShuichi fails I noticed in Chapter Nineteen. One, he has a cell phoneand two, he didn't get his ass after Kokichi after realizing that hemight've been framed. While it is in his character to interrogateTsumugi and not thinking about the Panta boy that might be about toKILL HIMSELF, I decided that for the sake of a normal ending, I'mgoing to give him some decent common sense. As for the cell phonepart, I suspect that the author might've forgotten Shuichi had a cellphone from Tsumugi calling him or the phone she called him from was alandline, which if it was a landline, what millennial uses a landlinephone!? Shuichi, yo actin' as old as my grandpa, if yo still using alandline phone, bro. I guess he could've left it at home like most ofus... including me. 

On a higher note, a Kyoko Kirigiricameo XD Next will be the Hopeful Ending.