Kokichi woke up at 6:23 the next morning on his couch in a salty puddle. So… Kokichi muttered in his head, I cried myself to sleep.

Kokichi looked at his phone beside him and saw he got a ton of texts while he was asleep. He got some texts from Shuichi, Gonta, Kaito, and Kirumi.

He checked Shuichi first.

“Are you okay, Kokichi?”

“I know you’re sad.”

“Don’t lie to me. I know the person you like is me. I’m not mad, nor will I judge you.”

“Don’t cry.”

How did Shuichi know Kokichi was crying?

“No, I’m not okay, Shuichi,” Kokichi texted back. “Fine, you caught me, it is you. Come at me. So what? It’s not like you’ll love me anyway. And yeah, I cried. I cried myself to sleep in fact.”

“Don’t cry because of me, Kokichi,”  Shuichi replied.

“But I really like you Shuichi. To be turned down by you, it really hurts.”

“I love Kaede and I’m with her right now.”

“Yeah, I know. Stop rubbing it in my face that the person you love loves you back and the person I love doesn’t give a damn.”

“I do, Kokichi. I may not love you that way, but I care about you a lot. And if things don’t work out with me and Kaede, maybe you and I could give it a go.”

“You’re just saying that.”

“No, I mean it.”

Kokichi didn’t believe Shuichi. He wanted to believe him, but he didn’t.

He decided not to respond to Shuichi and checked Kirumi Tojo’s message instead.

“Shuichi told me you were upset.”

Kokichi gulped in fear. “Did he tell you why I’m upset?” he asked.

“No, he just said you’re upset. Is it true?”

“Yeah it’s true. I’m in a lot of pain right now.”

“I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do for you, Kokichi?”

“No, nothing at all.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. 100%.”

“I still want to help you, Kokichi. Don’t just sit around sad. I’ll do something to cheer you up.”

“Like what?”

Kirumi didn’t respond right away. She was obviously thinking about how to cheer up Kokichi.

He grew impatient waiting, so he checked Gonta’s text.

“Shuichi told Gonta you sad.”

Kokichi sighed. Did he tell everybody? he complained silently.

“Yeah, I’m upset.”

“Do you want a hug Kokichi?”

“It’s 6:28 in the morning Gonta. I’m at my own house and you’re probably at yours. You can’t hug me right now.”

“Then Gonta hug you at school!”

“No no, it’s fine Gonta, you don’t have to.”

“But Gonta want to!”

“Okay, fine. At school, you can go ahead and hug me.”

“Gonta will! Gonta want Kokichi to be happy!”

Kokichi felt himself smile slightly as he read Gonta’s previous text.

Kirumi texted him back, so he went back to his conversation with Kirumi and read what she had sent.

“We could play a board game?”

“No, too childish, Kirumi.”

“I could cook something for you, if you want.”

“That actually sounds pretty nice. Thank you Kirumi.”

“You are welcome.”

“When would this be?”

“After school, maybe?”

“Sure. At my house.”

“I could bring over a couple others, if you want.”

“No, just me and you, Kirumi.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

Kokichi smiled genuinely again. Shuichi was right. There are people out there who care about him.

Kokichi decided to check Kaito’s text next.

“Shuichi told me you were down in the dumps. What happened?”

Kokichi didn’t want anyone to know about his little secret, so he refrained from telling Kaito. “Nothing important. It doesn’t concern you, so why do you care?”

“You’re my friend, Kokichi. That’s why.”

“That’s a dumb excuse.”

“I don’t care. It’s true. Why are you so upset?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“I care about you, Kokichi. You can tell me.”

“BS.”

“Can that talk. I know we don’t always get along, Kokichi, but you’re still my friend. There are times I wanna put tape over your mouth, but I still care about you. I don’t want you to be upset. If you don’t wanna tell me what’s hurting you, you don’t have to. But, please at least tell me how I can help cheer you up, because that’s what friends do!

“Kokichi?

“I know you’re there. Please respond.”

“Here. I responded. Happy now?”

“Come on, Kokichi. Please behave with me.”

“Fine.”

“What can I do to cheer you up, Kokichi?”

“I dunno.”

“Maybe I could come over today and we could hang out?”

“Kirumi’s coming over already to help cheer me up.”

“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind an extra person.”

“I already told her that I didn’t want anyone else to come.”

“Please?”

“Fine. I guess a friend or two extra wouldn’t hurt. BRB.”

Kokichi exited his conversation with Kaito and reentered Kirumi’s.

“Hi. Actually, a little change of plans,”  he texted.

“That’s okay,” Kirumi replied. “What are these changes in plans?”

“I was wondering if a few other people would be fine.”

“That’s your decision, not mine. If you want more friends over, I don’t mind at all.”

“Okay.”

He went back to Kaito.

“She said it doesn’t matter. It’s my choice, and I say it’s okay.”

“Great! When is this?”

“After school today.”

“Okay.”

Kokichi exited his conversation with Kaito and felt a little better about himself. Knowing people actually cared about him was a good feeling.

He went back to Shuichi. If he was gonna bring over one extra friend, why not two?

“Hey, Shuichi,” he texted.

“Yeah?” Shuichi responded shortly after.

“Kirumi and Kaito are coming over after school. Would you be willing to come over too? Please?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Yay! Thank you!”

Kokichi smiled again, happy Shuichi accepted. He may not be able to date Shuichi, but that didn't mean he couldn't spend time with him.

He decided it was time to get ready for school.

Kokichi entered the school and felt a gentle poke at his shoulder. “Hey, Kokichi,” a familiar feminine voice said.

Kokichi turned around and saw Miu. “Oh, hey, Miu,” Kokichi said sullenly. He coughed and smiled, and upped his tone so he sounded happier. “What is it?”

“Shuichi told me you were upset,” Miu answered. “He told everyone.”

“Why didn’t you say anything to me through text like everyone else did?”

“I prefer consoling people in person.”

“Why? So people can hear your ‘angelic voice’?”

Miu lightly punched Kokichi in the shoulder. “Stop it,” she complained. “I’m trying to help you. Please try to not insult me for just ten minutes.”

“Fine, sorry. Do continue.”

“Why are you so upset?”

“I don’t want anyone to know. I haven’t told anyone why.”

Miu took her phone out of her bag. “I’ll just ask Shuichi then--”

“No!” Kokichi shouted, smacking Miu’s phone out of her hands.

“What the hell?!” she exclaimed. “What was that for?!”

“Don’t...ask...him,” Kokichi begged. “Please.”

“Why not? What could be so bad that you don’t want me to know?”

“If I tell you, do you promise not to judge me, or tell anyone?”

“Yes, I promise.” Miu stuck out her pinky and smiled.

“Can I really trust you? I’m feeling hesitant.”

“Says the notorious liar.”

“Touche,” Kokichi finished, and he entwined his pinky with Miu’s.

“Now, what’s holdin’ ya down, Kokichi?”

“I...I have...feelings for someone--”

“Ooh! Who?”

“That’s exactly what I was nervous about admitting.”

Miu cocked her head and toyed with her hair. “Why?” she asked. Then she gasped. “Oh my God, it’s me!”

“No, no way,” Kokichi said quickly, putting his hands in front of him and shaking his head.

Miu calmed down immediately. “Oh,” she said, sounding somewhat upset. “Well, who is it? I won’t judge you, make fun of you, or tell anyone, promise.”

“Alright…” Kokichi sighed. He panted, nervous. “It’s...I’m...Ah…”

“Why are you having so much trouble with saying it, Kokichi? Is it really that bad?”

“I’ll give you a visual clue instead.”

Miu scratched her head. “Uh...okay…”

Kokichi ran out the door, then poked his head through it so Miu could see him.

“Uh...you’re leaving?” Miu asked confused.

Kokichi stepped out the door and the school, then reentered. “What was I doing?” he asked.

“You were exiting the school…?” Miu pondered.

Kokichi went out and in the door once again. “I’m…” he began, expecting Miu to finish his sentence.

“Uhm...going out?” Miu asked.

Kokichi sighed and instead went into a janitor’s closet.

Miu walked closer to him.

Kokichi closed the closet door, then opened it and exited the closet. “What is this?” he asked, pointing at the door.

“A closet?” Miu answered.

“And what was I doing?”

“Coming out of it?” Miu answered. Then she instantly realized. “Coming out of the closet--dude, you’re gay?!”

“Shhh!” Kokichi exclaimed. “There’s a lot of other people here.”

“Oh, sorry,” Miu said. “Wow, I was not expecting that. Who is this guy?”

“You said you wouldn’t make fun of me.”

“I’m technically not. Anyway, who’s the guy you like?”

“Do you promise not to tell him?”

“I already promised.”

“It’s...It’s Sh...Sh…”

“Shuichi?”

“Yeah.”

“Dude, he’s with Kaede.”

Kokichi pulled his hair. “I know! I know! Sheesh, I get it. The guy I love doesn’t love me cuz he’s too busy loving someone else, I know.”

“Woah, Kokichi, calm down.”

Kokichi sighed. “S-sorry, Miu,” he mumbled.

“Does Shuichi know?” Miu asked.

“Unfortunately, yes, he does.”

“How did he reject you?”

Reject. That word pierced Kokichi like a freshly sharpened knife. As if Maki, who had been holding back the urge to stab him for so long, finally succumbed to that urge and shoved a knife through him.

Kokichi began to breathe heavier. “He...he said, ‘Look, Kokichi, I care about you a lot. Like, a lot. You’re one of my closest friends. But I’m with Kaede. I’m sorry. Maybe...if I wasn’t with her...just maybe...but I love Kaede.’ I lied, saying it wasn’t him, but Ultimate Detective Shuichi Saihara would never fall for a lie as flimsy as that. He should’ve fallen for me instead.”

“Wow, Kokichi, that was chee-sy.”

“Shut up, Miu.”

Miu shrugged. “Hey, I wish I could help you get ‘im, but Kaede’s my good friend, and she’s happy, and so is Shuichi. I can’t ruin that. But tell you what, if they ever do split up, I’ll be with you the whole way.”

Kokichi looked up at Miu. “R-really?” he said.

Miu smiled. “Of course,” she answered. “No matter what you say to me, no matter what you think of me, no matter how harsh or offensive your insults to me are, I’d gladly help you. I know how it feels to have unrequited love. I’d been there.”

“Really? Who was it?”

“That’s part of the past. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Oh, okay.”

Miu began walking away. “See ya, Kokichi!” she exclaimed, and then she ran down the hall, getting swallowed into the sea of students.

For the first time, Kokichi felt a small tinge of fondness for Miu. He didn't care for her much at all, and adored to constantly insult her. But she seemed to want to help Kokichi with his life.

Which was ironic, considering what the Ultimate Inventor Miu Iruma had done in Kokichi's nightmare.

...

The players of Danganronpa were decreasing and decreasing. So many have died already.

Miu had enough of putting up with Kokichi, so she created an alternate world called the Neo World Program, but due to the programming, a single touch from anyone would not be good for Kokichi. In fact, quite the opposite.

Miu did this on purpose. She wanted to kill Kokichi.

But she was not successful, and ended up losing her own life instead.

Before she got the chance to kill him, Gonta had gotten to her. Someone like Gonta would never kill somebody, but it was part of a plan.

The weapon of choice was rather unusual.

A roll of toilet paper.

Miu never saw it coming.

She was prepared to kill Kokichi and was quite eager to do so. But then…

A thin white material wrapped around her neck.

Miu was puzzled at first and looked at the toilet paper. Then she looked up at Kokichi.

Kokichi looked amused and satisfied.

How sickening, Miu thought. He's enjoying this.

Suddenly the paper covered her eyes and she could no longer see. Then she could no longer breathe, and her vision turned from white to black…

...

Kokichi shook his head. It was just a nightmare. It wasn't real. Sure, Miu had the perfect capability and intelligence to create such a world and easily manipulate it to slay him, but she wouldn't do that. She wanted to help him, not harm him.

Kokichi sighed and began walking to his first class of the day.

But he was stopped in his tracks by Gonta.

“Oh, hello, Gonta,” Kokichi said.

“Hello, Kokichi!” Gonta replied. “It time for Gonta’s hug!” Then he bent down and hugged Kokichi.

“Heh, I almost forgot about this,” Kokichi muttered.

“Feel better, Kokichi?” Gonta asked.

“A little,” Kokichi replied.

“Good,” Gonta finished. “Kokichi should not be sad!”

Kokichi squirmed out of Gonta's hug and stepped back. “I'm gonna head to class now,” he said.

“Okay!” Gonta acknowledged. “Bye!” And they went separate ways.

Kokichi heard two familiar voices and looked over to his left. He saw Shuichi and Kaede, holding hands, talking.

Shuichi's eyes locked with Kokichi's and he smiled at him.

Kokichi smiled back, but the smile was forced. He felt he was going to cry, so he hid his face and speed-walked to class.

Why does it have to be like this? Kokichi asked himself.

He looked back at Shuichi and Kaede, and saw them both still talking. But every once in a while, Shuichi would glance at Kokichi.

Kokichi buried his face in his scarf and ran away. Why can't he love me?

He heard their voices grow louder. They must be getting closer.

Kokichi turned around and looked behind him, and he was correct. They were right behind him.

“You okay, Kokichi?” Kaede asked. She appeared concerned. “You look upset. Are you...crying?”

Kokichi wiped his eyes and smiled. “Yep,” he said. “Someone said something really funny and I laughed so hard that it brought tears to my eyes.”

“Then why did you look so sad?”

“Because my jokes aren’t as good as the one they said.”

“You don’t care if others’ jokes are better than yours. What’s up with you, Kokichi?”

Ah, Kokichi realized, so Shuichi chose not to tell Kaede.

“I’ll take care of it, Kaede,” Shuichi said. He let go of her hand and walked closer to Kokichi. “I think...maybe I should speak to him on my own. You go on and head to class without me.”

“It’s okay,” Kaede replied. “I can stay here.”

“Kaede, I need to speak to Kokichi alone.”

“I’m not part of the conversation, so you’re technically speaking to him alone.”

“You may overhear the conversation.”

“So what?! How bad could it be?”

“I’m the only other person that knows. He doesn’t want to tell anyone else.”

“Oh, am I not trustworthy?!”

“I...I never said that, Kaede.”

“What’s so bad about me overhearing, anyway? It can’t possibly be that bad.”

“I would like to speak to Kokichi alone. And I’m sure he doesn’t want anyone else listening, anyway.”

“I won’t be listening!”

“You may still overhear!” Shuichi’s tone began to raise, which was uncommon. He was obviously mad. His patience was clearly wearing thin. “Just go on and head to class without me, Kaede!”

“No! I am staying right here! And you can’t make me move!”

“Go! To! Class! Kaede! Just go! Stop fighting with me!”

“I’m staying right here with you!”

“GO TO CLASS! I’M NOT GONNA COME WITH YOU ANYWAY!”

“FINE! I’LL GO! SHUT YOUR GODDAMN MOUTH AND LEAVE ME ALONE! YOU GO AHEAD AND CHAT WITH KOKICHI! I SURE AS HELL WON’T GIVE A CRAP IF YOU’RE LATE AND GET A PUNISHMENT!”

“FINE!”

“FINE!”

Then Kaede stomped off.

Kokichi was so startled by what he just witnessed. He never thought he would see Shuichi and Kaede fight.

Shuichi coughed. “Oh my goodness,” he panted. “I’m not used to yelling like that. I am so sorry you had to see that.”

Kokichi was frozen. He could not believe what he witnessed. He had never seen Shuichi yell, and he never thought Shuichi and Kaede would fight, let alone scream at each other.

“Kokichi?” Shuichi called.

Kokichi blinked, snapping back to reality. “Sorry,” he said, “I was just so startled by...that.”

“It was just a fight,” Shuichi replied. “Sometimes Kaede and I have fights about stupid things. Nothing to fear.”

Nothing for me to fear, anyway, Kokichi said internally. Too many fights may drive them away from each other.

A smile crept up on Kokichi's face.

“Kokichi?” Shuichi questioned. “Why are you smiling?”

“Thinking of something amusing,” Kokichi answered.

Then another part of Danganronpa played in his head. It was a short one. Just a single sentence said to him by Shuichi.

“You're alone, Kokichi, and you always will be.”

The smile disappeared from Kokichi's face and it was replaced by a blank expression.

“Now what's going through your head?” Shuichi asked.

“Shuichi,” Kokichi began, “do you think I'll always be alone? Will nobody ever love me?”

“Of course not, Kokichi,” Shuichi answered, putting his hand on Kokichi's shoulder. “I'm positive you'll find someone soon. Where did you get that from?”

“I have these nightmares,” Kokichi replied. “They're connected. In it, I'm in this killing game called Danganronpa. So is everyone else. Everyone in our little clique. We have to kill somebody and not get caught to escape. Gonta just got executed in the sequence. But what was in my head was something you said to me. You said, 'You’re alone, Kokichi, and you always will be.’ Ouch.”

“I'd never say that, ever,” Shuichi retorted.

“But you did,” Kokichi groaned.

“No I didn't,” Shuichi argued. “That was a nightmare. I'd never say that to you.”

Kokichi spontaneously started crying. Not fake tears. They were real. “Why does everyone hate me, Shuichi?” he asked. “Why does everyone loathe my very presence and existence? Why? I've never hurt anyone. Sure, I've lied to everyone too many times to count, but I wasn't trying to hurt anyone. Why does everyone hate me so much, Shuichi? You're the Ultimate Detective, you should know.”

“Because people are idiots, Kokichi,” Shuichi replied immediately. “Anyone who hates you clearly is clueless and knows nothing about the real you.”

“Why does Maki want to kill me? Of course, the Ultimate Assassin, who has complete access to lethal weapons and could kill me in the blink of an eye wants me dead. Why?”

“She doesn't understand you.”

“Neither do you.”

“But I want to learn more about you. And I don't misunderstand you in a negative way. Maki has this incorrect image of you and thinks that's how you are. She thinks you're evil, so she wants to eliminate you. I try to convince her otherwise, but she refuses to listen.”

“Y-you don't hate me, do you? This isn't some sort of r-ruse to throw me off, while paradoxically, you hate my guts and just like Maki, want me dead, right? Tell me the truth.”

Shuichi, dumbfounded, stared at a crying Kokichi in front of him. “Why would that thought ever cross your mind?! I never hated you, and I never will! I like you a lot, Kokichi! You're one of my best friends!” Shuichi tugged on his hair and tried hiding the fact that he was crying. “The fact that you even thought that, it hurts.”

“How does that hurt? Imagine how being hated feels, not just thinking someone hates you.”

“I'd never ever hate you. The mere thought that you think I by some chance hate you stings. I care about you too much to hate anything about you. I don't care if you don't believe me, but you are one of the most important people in my life, and the thought of me hating you doesn't just hurt you, it hurts me, too. So don't say stupid things like that anymore.”

“Kaito must be rubbing off on me,” Kokichi joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Shuichi grabbed Kokichi and pulled him into a hug.

Kokichi wasn't quite sure how to respond to Shuichi's sudden embrace. He slowly hugged back.

Kokichi heard a sniff. He looked up at Shuichi and saw he was crying.

“Sh-Shuichi…?” Kokichi muttered. “Are you okay?”

“No,” Shuichi replied. He rested his face on the top of Kokichi’s head.

“Did...did I do something wrong?” Kokichi asked.

“Yes,” Shuichi answered. “I can’t believe you’d ever think I’d hate you. Never in a billion years, if all the planets align, pigs sprout wings, and Kaito has a higher IQ than Einstein, I will never hate you. It pains me to think...I’d hate you, Kokichi. Even if everyone else in the world hates you, and demands me to hate you too, or I will be punished, I will gladly take that punishment. I hardly even disliked you before I got to know you better. I don’t care what you do, what you say, what you think, what everyone else thinks, I will never ever hate you. You will always be one of my closest friends.”

Kokichi felt himself start to cry as Shuichi spoke. He hugged Shuichi tighter. Then he laughed. “That Kaito thing was funny,” he said, looking up at Shuichi.

Shuichi looked down at him. He smiled through his tears. “Yes, yes it was,” Shuichi agreed.

Kokichi then wiped his eyes and made a swift move. It was now or never. He looked around him to make sure nobody was watching, and then he stood up on his toes and gently and quickly gave Shuichi a small peck on the lips.

He quickly stood back on the ground and looked up at Shuichi, who still had tears in his eyes. Now his face was turning pink. Shuichi looked down and poked his lip in confusion. “Why did you do that?” he asked.

“Don’t tell Kaede,” Kokichi said, then he broke out of Shuichi’s arms, winked at him, and ran away to class.

...

Shuichi just stared at him as he ran off. At least he now knows I don’t hate him, he said internally. Then he smiled at himself somewhat. I didn’t like that...did I? he asked himself, and he began to head to class.

No, no way. Impossible. I couldn’t have.

Time to make peace with Kaede.

His walk sped up to a run, and he sprinted to his class, with only two things on his mind: why the heck Kokichi did that, and to make up with Kaede.

He shook his head and tried to push the Kokichi debacle out of his head.

But it refused to go away.